Investigation continues into Hardeeville double homicide

Police are still canvassing for information, following up on leads and examining evidence nearly two weeks after the shooting deaths of two people in Hardeeville.

Desmond Brown, 25, of Hardeeville, and Octavia Scott, 26, of Bluffton, were found at about 6 p.m. May 11 in a ditch beside a borrowed car on a dirt lane off Purrysburg Road.

“There is no additional information or updates at this time,” emailed Hardeeville Police Chief Richard Nagy in response to a phone query on Monday. “The investigators continue to follow-up on leads and evidence is being processed by SLED in Columbia.”

Two officers from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have been assigned to the Hardeeville department to assist with evidence. No weapon was found at the scene but a .45 caliber shell was discovered. The police have no suspects at this time.

Emergency personnel were initially called out for a car wreck with bodies. When examined at the scene by Jasper County Coroner Martin Sauls, both individuals were found to have gunshot wounds to the head. Murder-suicide was ruled out by Sauls who said their deaths were instantaneous. The coroner said on Monday there was no further information on the causes relating to the deaths.